Easton Zoning Hearing Board

David Linton, a member of the Easton Zoning Hearing Board since November 1983, said Monday night he will be resigning effective Nov. 1. Linton is leaving the five-member panel because he is moving to Forks Township.

Richard E. Thulin, a principal with Arcadia Properties, LLC, is enthusiastic about Arcadia's 145-unit Riverwalk condominium proposal in Easton for several reasons, including the dramatic view of the confluence of the Lehigh and Delaware rivers it would offer to residents from its downtown site. Easton Mayor Phil Mitman also is enthusiastic about the joint project of the Easton Parking Authority and Arcadia Properties for many reasons, including the potential influx of new residents and tax revenues -- and, possibly, retail business downtown.

Joseph Bassoline was re-elected chairman of the Easton Zoning Hearing Board this week at the panel's reorganization meeting. David Linton was re-elected vice chairman. Bassoline was elected over fellow board member Matthew Sportelli. Linton was the only nomination for vice chairman.

A vague appeal to the Easton Zoning Hearing Board filed Wednesday has put a stop -- at least temporarily -- to construction of a Social Security Administration building that hundreds of Easton residents oppose. Two prominent development companies in Easton, Koehler-Kheel Realty and Schy-Rhys Redevelopment Inc., filed the appeal because Allentown developer Abraham R. Atiyeh did not obtain zoning approval. Because of the appeal, City Council could not vote Wednesday night on resolutions to remove two parking meters on Spruce Street to allow a second driveway to the proposed construction site in the 100 block of S. Fourth Street.

Northampton County Judge Franklin S. Van Antwerpen has ordered that the Easton Zoning Hearing Board conduct another hearing on a request for a variance to open a tire store on N. 10th Street. In March, the board voted 3-2 to grant a variance to Michael Hancewicz so that he could open the store at 25 N. 10th St., formerly the location of R.S. Hahn & Sons. Hancewicz owns Towne Tire in Phillipsburg. The variance was approved over the protests of residents who said that the use would detract from the character of the neighborhood.

Former boxing champ Larry Holmes has asked Northampton County Court to overturn the Easton Zoning Hearing Board's decision to deny him permission to open a nightclub in his former boxing center. The appeal, filed by attorney Jack A. Panella, says the board's denial last month was arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of discretion, and had made the premises of his former training center at 548 Canal St. unusable. The proposal was opposed by the owners of an apartment complex in the neighborhood, as well as members of a predominantly black church and the management of a predominantly black nightclub, also in the area.

Giel Millner, who last month was denied a special exception to operate a food processing business in the former Pomeroy's building in downtown Easton, has appealed that ruling in Northampton County Court. Millner and his company, Jahtvar Inc., are asking the court to overturn the Easton Zoning Hearing Board's decision that blocked his attempt to locate the operation in a 2,000-square-foot area of the long-vacant building. The operation processes and packs specialty items like capers, olives and cocktail onions.

Easton developer John M. Cappellano has asked Northampton County Court to overturn a ruling by the Easton Zoning Hearing Board that denied him a special exception to construct a 104-unit garden apartment complex on College Hill. Cappellano, in the appeal prepared by attorney William Murphy, says the board's ruling was arbitrary, capricious and an abuse of the board's discretion. On Dec. 17, Cappellano entered into an agreement to buy the 7.36-acre parcel at George and Lafayette streets for $115,000, and on May 2, the city Planning Commission recommended that the zoning board grant the special exception needed to build the project, located in a low-density residential zone.

Variances needed for a small expansion of the Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce building were approved last night by the Easton Zoning Hearing Board. The board approved a special exception and side-yard setback variances for a 728-square-foot addition to the north side of TRACC's building at 157 S. 4th St. Donna Mulholland, president-elect of TRACC, said the agency needs more room for office staff to provide "a one-stop place for economic development in Northampton County." The addition will not require additional on-site parking but would extend to the property line adjoining the Moose Home, said Werner Buckl of Buckl- Jankowski architects of Easton.

C. Hugh Bloom Jr. of Easton has resigned from the Easton Area Joint SewerAuthority after serving on that panel for almost a decade. In a Jan. 30 letter to Easton Mayor Salvatore J. Panto Jr., Bloom cited a heavy schedule in 1986 as a reason for resigning. Bloom said his schedule would force him to miss many meetings and increase the quorum problem the authority is currently experiencing. Bloom was reappointed to the authority for a five-year term in December 1984. His term expires the first Monday in January 1990.

She's known as the wife of former Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. and the mother of legislative aide Meghan Coursen. Pamela Panto now also wants to be known as an Easton councilwoman. Panto, 54, of Charles Street, officially declared her candidacy Tuesday. She's one of six candidates who will be seeking the Democratic nomination in the May 20 primary for three council seats. Panto said her last year serving on the Easton Zoning Hearing Board helped her decide she wanted to leave her mark in her hometown.

Plans to open a beer store in Easton's West Ward near a church and a school are being abandoned in favor of an industrial complex on Bushkill Drive. Chris Jacob said he and his uncle, Peter Koury, want to open a 2,400-square-foot store in the Rinek Rope Works complex instead of at 10th and Northampton streets to avoid fighting with West Ward property owners. "Because of the opposition it's just cheaper at this point to count your losses and move on," Jacob said. "Why go somewhere that's going to keep your neighbors in an uproar?"

Easton City Council wants the Lehigh Valley and Easton planning commissions' opinions on a city zoning change that may affect the future of Northampton County's $24 million prison expansion. The unanimous vote Wednesday is the first step toward making a decision on the county's request to allow construction at Union and Washington streets. Council gave the commissions 60 days to come back with their recommendations. Once they are received, council must wait at least 30 days before holding a public hearing and voting on the request, said Council President Tim Pickel.

Plans to move Weyerbacher Brewing Co. to a former bowling alley on S. Third Street near downtown Easton have been canceled, but brewpub owner Daniel Weirback said he is still looking for a new building. "It turns out the site didn't work for us in a number of ways," Weirback said recently. Weirback won Easton Zoning Hearing Board approval last fall to move his fast-growing brew works from 20 S. Sixth St. to 134 S. Third. But zoners also put restrictions on the approval that would have required reconsideration by the board for a food-processing operation -- including the brewpub.

An Easton couple has lost their bid to stop the Lafayette Inn from becoming a bed-and-breakfast. Northampton County Judge Jack A. Panella upheld an Easton Zoning Hearing Board decision to allow the hotel to begin serving hot food by striking down an appeal filed in August by neighbors Joseph and Gale LoCicero. The LoCiceros contended a bed-and-breakfast would have a detrimental effect on the neighborhood. "The Zoning Hearing Board did not abuse its discretion nor commit an error of law in permitting the preparing and serving of food to preplanned functions at the inn," Panella wrote in his opinion.

Don't raise that glass just yet. Contrary to earlier reports, plans to locate a popular brewpub in a former S. Third Street bowling alley -- and improve a once-depressed section of Easton's downtown -- are `not definite,` said Daniel Weirback, owner of the Weyerbacher Brewing Co. on S. Sixth Street. Despite obtaining the appropriate zoning approvals, Weirback said he's encountered financial roadblocks that could scuttle his plans. Essentially, the project needs money to pay for renovations to the vacant bowling alley and other related costs, Weirback said.

An Easton woman who lost her battle in Northampton County Court to prevent a seven-story senior citizens housing project from being constructed on land owned by her church is taking her fight to state Commonwealth Court. Attorney Philip Lauer, representing Grace Lipari of 153 S. 7thSt., filed notice of her intention to appeal to the higher court late last week. Northampton County President Judge Alfred T. Williams Jr. last month dismissed Lipari's appeal of the Easton Zoning Hearing Board decision granting variances and a special exception for construction of the project on land at 9th and Washington streets by The Antonian, Ltd. The land was donated to The Antonian by St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, to which many members of The Antonian belong.

An Easton couple has lost their bid to stop the Lafayette Inn from becoming a bed-and-breakfast. Northampton County Judge Jack A. Panella upheld an Easton Zoning Hearing Board decision to allow the hotel to begin serving hot food by striking down an appeal filed in August by neighbors Joseph and Gale LoCicero. The LoCiceros contended a bed-and-breakfast would have a detrimental effect on the neighborhood. "The Zoning Hearing Board did not abuse its discretion nor commit an error of law in permitting the preparing and serving of food to preplanned functions at the inn," Panella wrote in his opinion.

The Easton Zoning Hearing Board agreed Monday night to let Weyerbacher Brewing Co. and its BrewPub relocate from 20 S. Sixth St. to the vacant bowling alley at 134 S. Third St. But the zoners put a restriction on the approval. They said any subsequent food processing business, including a brew pub, would have to return to the board for reconsideration. Daniel Weirback, owner of the microbrewery, the first in Easton, said he would like to have the microbrewery and an expanded brew pub in operation this summer.

Michael J. Koury Jr. would like to use one room of his home on 14th Street in a residential district in Easton for a law office, and developer Gary Strausser of Palmer Township wants to readapt an old industrial building along Bushkill Drive to 44 apartments for those 55 and older. Both men learned Wednesday their plans received the endorsement of the Easton Planning Commission, which will recommend special exceptions be granted to each by the Easton Zoning Hearing Board. Strausser's project is a complex one in that the former Binney & Smith plant he wants to convert to apartments is in four municipalities -- Easton, Wilson, Forks and Palmer townships -- and all must approve parts of the plan.